Former undisputed champion loses for third time in a row as major upset takes place in Scotland

Josh Taylor’s career now hangs in the balance after he suffered a shocking loss to Ekow Essuman in front of a passionate crowd in Glasgow. 

The Scot, a former undisputed champion, was making his welterweight bow, but it ended in disaster as he was beaten on the scorecards after 12 superb rounds. 

Taylor looked like himself in the fight’s opening stages as he looked to replicate the form that took him to the top of the sport back in 2021 when he defeated Jose Ramirez to hold all four belts at super-lightweight. 

Since that win, Taylor’s form has stuttered after losing to Teofimo Lopez and Jack Catterall, but he was hoping to prove he still belonged at the highest level starting with Essuman.  

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In the fight’s opening rounds, Taylor dominated as his long jab scored frequently, and he dominated the exchanges whenever Essuman got close. 

At the halfway stage, Taylor was well in front, but Essuman was having more moments, and he began to make his pressure tell in the second half. 

Moving forward all the time, Essuman was able to slow Taylor down and the decline in the local favourite's industry saw Essuman close the gap. 

After 12 hard fought rounds, the judges all scored for Essuman with totals of 116-112, 116-113, and 115-113. 

Taylor looked stunned at the verdict and did not hang around for the post-fight interviews, but whatever happens next for him, it must be said that his career has been a remarkable success and his accomplishments in 22 fights are worthy of the highest praise. 

Essuman still has dreams of getting to that level and he made it clear in the immediate aftermath that he would like a world title fight.

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